Deceased/Not Found UK - Margaret Fleming, 19, Inverclyde, Scotland, 17 Dec 1999 *Guilty*

[jessie]

Murder accused left without a wheelchair

A judge has condemned a decision by prison authorities to leave the man accused of murdering missing Margaret Fleming without a wheelchair.

Edward Cairney and his co-accused Avril Jones were due in court to apply for bail after their trial collapsed.

But instead Mr Cairney sat in a G4S van in the car park after Greenock Prison removed the wheelchair he had been using throughout the trial.

The pair deny murdering Margaret at Inverkip, or elsewhere in Scotland.

Mr Cairney, 77, was granted bail on condition that he does not approach any witnesses.

Ms Jones, 58, was at the High Court in Glasgow for the hearing although she did not apply for bail.

'Staggered'
Lord Matthews said: "I'm staggered that the Scottish Prison Service think it appropriate to remove the wheelchair Mr Cairney has been using all this time. I want an explanation."

 

[bluebird69]

See I think the prison staff used the only power they had to show their disgust at this outcome jmo of course

 

[JerseyGirl]

Margaret Fleming murder trial collapses

 

[Satchie]

Margaret Fleming murder trial collapses

Unfortunately, still no explanation of why the trial collapsed. It feels unusual to me, that there should be such mystery/secrecy about why. It should be possible for the courts to give some indication, without going into specifics.

 

[Taskforce88]

I had a feeling it would collapse, let's hope one has turned Queen's evidence otherwise we are heading for a not-proven verdict.

 

[Satchie]

I had a feeling it would collapse, let's hope one has turned Queen's evidence otherwise we are heading for a not-proven verdict.

I wonder. I think it's possible a jury would convict them, based on what is known so far. Juries have convicted on little evidence, based on proving the accused a. had a strong motive, b. had violent tendencies and c. repeatedly lied about everything to do with the disappearance. The jury can be lead by a good prosecution to add these thing up and conclude that the accused therefore committed the crime. An example in Scotland is the murder of Arlene Fraser by her husband. Detective who nailed Nat Fraser reveals how wife killer botched the perfect plot

Here, we have a vulnerable adult who no one has seen for decades, who police can find no trace of after 2 years. This is enough to declare her dead. Then we have her carers, who others have testified were abusive, and who had the strong motive of being free of the burden of caring, plus stealing her benefits. They can be proven to have isolated the real Margaret/and, after her death, the phantom Margaret, from anyone who might check up on her. Then, after someone did check up on her, they made up a series of absurd lies to hide the truth of what happened. I think, in this case, a reasonable person would not believe their stories that Margaret was 'traveling', yet still allowed April to collect her benefits.

These two people were responsible for her and cannot claim ignorance about what happened. She was perfectly healthy, there was no reason for her to die accidently or through illness. Since they're so determined to lie, a jury could conclude they are covering up their responsibility for her death

 

[CoverMeCagney]

I vote Satchie for Chief Judge!!

Hope you're right, Satch, I feel certain that these two would be getting away with murder if they walk free.

 

[Taskforce88]

There was another conviction recently in Scotland where there was no body. It's believed the ex partner buried her in the Argyll forest. He was found guilty. A fresh appeal was launched a number of months ago by police searching for the body.

 

[Taskforce88]

This is the case:

Suzanne Pilley murder: 'She was discarded and it is unbearable'

'Suzanne was discarded and it is unbearable'

 

[Taskforce88]

Any news on this?

 

[gregjrichards]

Any news on this?

“A COUPLE has today denied abducting and murdering a woman who "vanished" 18 years ago.

Margaret Fleming was reported missing in October 2016 - but prosecutors claim she has not been seen since December 1999.

Her carers Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 58, deny murdering Margaret Fleming who was reported missing in October 2016 from the home they shared at Seacroft, Main Road, Inverkip, Renfrewshire.

Today, at the High Court in Glasgow, Jones was in court to enter a not guilty plea through her defence QC Ian Duguid.”

Couple denies abducting and murdering Inverkip woman Margaret Fleming who 'vanished' 18 years ago

 

[CoverMeCagney]

“A COUPLE has today denied abducting and murdering a woman who "vanished" 18 years ago.

Margaret Fleming was reported missing in October 2016 - but prosecutors claim she has not been seen since December 1999.

Her carers Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 58, deny murdering Margaret Fleming who was reported missing in October 2016 from the home they shared at Seacroft, Main Road, Inverkip, Renfrewshire.

Today, at the High Court in Glasgow, Jones was in court to enter a not guilty plea through her defence QC Ian Duguid.”

Couple denies abducting and murdering Inverkip woman Margaret Fleming who 'vanished' 18 years ago

Thanks, Greg.

Trial date set for 23rd April

 

[Taskforce88]

“A COUPLE has today denied abducting and murdering a woman who "vanished" 18 years ago.

Margaret Fleming was reported missing in October 2016 - but prosecutors claim she has not been seen since December 1999.

Her carers Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 58, deny murdering Margaret Fleming who was reported missing in October 2016 from the home they shared at Seacroft, Main Road, Inverkip, Renfrewshire.

Today, at the High Court in Glasgow, Jones was in court to enter a not guilty plea through her defence QC Ian Duguid.”

Couple denies abducting and murdering Inverkip woman Margaret Fleming who 'vanished' 18 years ago

Thanks

 

[Antonia]

Just to confirm that the Court Rolls show that the case is listed for preliminary hearing and trial on Tuesday 23rd April.
Court Roll

 

[Legally Bland]

New trial underway today.
__________________

Two people have gone on trial charged with the murder of a woman nearly 20 years ago.

Edward Cairney and Avril Jones pleaded not guilty to abducting and murdering Margaret Fleming at Seacroft, Inverkip, between December 1999 and January 2000.

It is alleged the pair tied up the 19-year-old, cut her hair and bound her arms with tape.

Pair deny Margaret Fleming murder

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Fingers crossed the trial goes more smoothly this time!

 

[CoverMeCagney]

From LB's link:

Edward Cairney and Avril Jones pleaded not guilty to abducting and murdering Margaret Fleming at Seacroft, Inverkip, between December 1999 and January 2000.

They are also accused of fraudulently claiming £182,000 in state benefits by pretending she was alive.

Separately, Mr Cairney, 77, is alleged to have assaulted Margaret Cruickshanks by strangling her at the house in November 1997.

Miss Jones, 59, is alleged to have contacted a witness while on bail last November.

The final charges facing both accused include stealing electricity and trying to flee to London with £3,500 in order to collect a further £27,000 from a safety deposit box in the city.

So, between them they're up for:

abduction
murder
fraud
assault
contacting a witness
electricity theft

.... anything else?

 

[Ironside]

Ooooh contacting a witness? Naughty!

 

[Deano saunders]

5-6 week trial

 

[Legally Bland]

5-6 week trial

This is from before the 1st trial, no idea if they still plan on as many witnesses:
____________

The trial is expected to last around five to six weeks and there will be about 200 witnesses.

Missing woman's carers claim she is alive